Network tunneling method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for tunneling any existing data-, control-, or routing-related protocol through a generic Internet protocol (IP) transport are described. The method includes providing a generic messaging structure that includes at least a transport protocol, a message buffer, a source-address field and one or more data fields for transparent routing of a user protocol over the IP transport and also providing an application program interface to the generic messaging structure, the interface including a mechanism for a user to choose a desired transport and associated protocol for transparently routing the user protocol over the transport in accordance with the chosen transport protocol within the one or more data fields. Alternatively or additionally, the method includes creating a base class library including plural defined source and header files and further providing a mechanism for deriving a transaction-based protocol-specific class that is compatible with the base class library. The apparatus is an application programming interface (API), preferably coded in C/C++, for transparently routing data between sockets in such an IP transport. The API includes a message buffer data structure defining a protocol-generic parent class, message, source-address and data fields; a message creation mechanism for creating a message and adding it to the message buffer data structure; and a protocol creation mechanism for deriving a protocol-specific child class that renders new protocol-specific sub-fields of the protocol field of the message buffer data structure.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This invention relates generally to tunneling methods and apparatus for transporting messages across a network interface. More particularly, it concerns an extensible application programming interface that provides access and control mechanisms for use in encapsulating any existing data-, control-, or routing-related protocol within a generic transport protocol.

2. Background

A method is needed for transporting Signaling System 7 (SS7) messages across a Unix domain protocol/internet protocol (UDP/IP) interface. The method should accommodate other “application control” messages. To this end, a new protocol is needed that can wrap any type of “existing” protocol into a packet and deliver the encapsulated packet across the interface.

SUMMARY

Method and apparatus for tunneling an existing protocol through a generic Internet protocol (IP) transport are described. The invented method includes providing a generic messaging structure that includes at least a transport protocol, a message buffer, a source-address field and one or more data fields for transparent routing of a user protocol over the IP transport and also providing an application program interface to the generic messaging structure, the interface including a mechanism for a user to choose a desired transport and associated protocol for transparently routing the user protocol over the transport in accordance with the chosen transport protocol within the one or more data fields. Alternatively or additionally, the invented method includes creating a base class library including plural defined source and header files and further providing a mechanism for deriving a transaction-based protocol-specific class that is compatible with the base class library.

The invented apparatus is an application programming interface (API), preferably coded in C/C++, for transparently routing data between sockets in such an IP transport. The API includes a message buffer data structure defining a protocol-generic parent class, message, source-address and data fields; a message creation mechanism for creating a message and adding it to the message buffer data structure; and a protocol creation mechanism for deriving a protocol-specific child class that renders new protocol-specific parameters for use within the message buffer data structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram representing the invented interface in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the method of the invention in one of its embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a system block diagram representing a computer system used to create the invented interface of FIG. 1 and to implement the method of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A C/C++ application programming interface (API) is proposed that allows any existing protocol to be routed between transmission control protocol (TCP) or UDP sockets. The invented API, referred to herein as MsgBuff, consists of specialized (for SS7 purposes) headers containing such information as linked and circuit identification code (CIC). This information is then followed by between zero and any (typically large) integer number of “tag-length-value” (TLV) trios. These trios may contain any type of data. In one embodiment, these data are byte representations of SS7 ISUP message parameters. In addition, several “application control” trios are created that are specific to illustrative embodiments of the invention.

The API may be rendered, for example, on a Solaris Sparc, Solaris x86 and Windows platform. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that other platforms, within the spirit and scope of the invention, may be used.

The primary advantage to the MsgBuff API is one of extensibility and non-reliance on the encapsulated protocol. In fact, the data that are encapsulated need not be a defined protocol at all. The API allows further use by any IP or SS7 protocol. Additional protocols are supported by deriving parameter objects from a generic base object. For example, transaction-based protocols such as a session-initiated protocol (SIP), a simple gateway monitoring protocol (SCMP), etc., may be provided in accordance with, and within the spirit and scope of, the invention. Other (non-protocol) data can be used directly by using the construction method described and illustrated herein.

The invented API can be used in any IP environment where a defined protocol is needed to send any encapsulated data stream. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the API requires the supported C/C++ header files as well as the platform-appropriate library. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the data are transmitted over the Internet transparent to the transport protocol. Thus, the invention may be thought of as involving novel tunneling method and apparatus.

The invention thus represents a novel tunneling protocol.

FIG. 1 illustrates the invented interface in a first embodiment, in schematic block diagram form. The invention may be seen to take the form of an API 10 for routing data between transmission control protocol (TCP) of Unix domain protocol (UDP) sockets. Interface 10 includes a message buffer data structure 12 that defines a protocol-generic base or parent class data field (hereinafter, simply, protocol field) 14, a message data field 16, a source-address data field 18 and one or more data fields 20 a, 20 b, etc. Interface 10 also includes a message creation mechanism 22 for creating a message and adding it to message buffer data structure 12. Interface 10 includes a protocol creation mechanism 24 for deriving a protocol-specific derived or child class that renders one or more new protocol-specific sub-fields (hereinafter, simply, protocol sub-fields) 26 compatible with protocol field 14 of message buffer data structure 12. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, data within data fields 20 a, 20 b may represent one or more headers and TLV byte triplets 28, one or more linksets and CICs 30, and message type and length 32.

FIG. 2 illustrates the invented method in the form of a flowchart. The method in accordance with a first embodiment includes a) at 200, providing a generic messaging structure that includes at least a transport protocol, a message buffer, a source-address fields and one or more data fields for transparent routing of a user protocol over the IP transport, and b) at 202, providing an application programming interface (API) to the generic messaging structure, the interface including a mechanism for a user to choose a desired transport and associated protocol for transparently routing the user protocol over the transport in accordance with the chosen transport protocol within the one or more data fields.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the method in accordance with a second embodiment includes c) at 204, creating a base class library including plural defined source and header files, and d) at 206, providing a mechanism for deriving a transaction-based protocol-specific class that is compatible with the base class library.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the two methods may be combined, as indicated by the dashed line between blocks 202 and 204 in FIG. 2, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention described in detail below. Those of skill in the art also will appreciate that the methods may be implemented in alternative ways to those described in detail below, within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The MsgBuff library consists of a base C++ class named MsgBuff. The primary purpose of the base class is to provide a structured approach to defining a mechanism for tunneling any existing protocol over an IP transport. This is accomplished by deriving a new protocol-specific class from the base MsgBuff class and overriding appropriate structures and methods where necessary. First, the Msgbuf class will be described in detail. Second, an example of how a protocol class may be created using the MsgBuf class will be described.

The MsgBuff library consists of several C++ source and header files, to be described in detail below. Current implementations exist on the Solaris Sparc, Solaris x86 and Windows platform. As the source and header files conform to ANSI-specifications, the library can be compiled on any platform using an ANSI-compliant compiler.

The library was created specifically to tunnel Signaling System 7 (SS7) protocols across a pair of Unix Domain Protocol (UDP) sockets. However, it is designed more generally to provide tunneling/transport functionality using any industry- or user-defined protocol. For example, the library has been extended to support Telephone User Part (TUP) and Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP). In addition, it has been used to derive a protocol, available from Cisco Systems, Inc., useful for controlling telephony bearer circuits. While these embodiments so far have been SS7- and telephony-centered protocols, the base MsgBuff class, within the spirit and scope of the invention, are extensible for use with any transaction-based protocol. Examples include Session Initiated Protocol (SIP), Simple Gateway Monitoring Protocol (SGMP), etc.

The following annotated C/C++ source code is further illustrative of message buffer data structure 12. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the annotations are set off from the source code by the standard double-backslash (//) followed by the annotation

typedef struct buff {

-   -   int protocolType;//Will be one of MsgBuffProtocolTypes enum     -   long mtype; // Will be protocol specific msg type     -   int seqNum;     -   int mlength;     -   int processId;     -   short int offsetHash[MAX_HASH_VALUES];     -   int numPayloadPresent; // How many TLVs are present     -   char ipAddr[MAX_IP_ADDR_LENGTH];     -   unsigned char mdata[MAX_DATA];         }msgBuffer;     -   Each of these fields will be described briefly below.         protocolType:

This field identifies the protocol of which this buffer is a part. A central enumeration is kept containing any defined protocols.

typedef enum {

-   -   IsupSvc,     -   TcapSvc, TupSvc,     -   MediaSvc         }MsgBuffProtocolTypes;         mtype:

This field identifies the protocol-specific message contained within the buffer. Values for this field are typically an enumerated definition. For example:

-   -   typedef enum {         -   tcapRegApp,         -   tcapDeregApp,         -   tcapQueryWithPermission,         -   tcapQuereyWithoutPermission,         -   tcapConversationWithPermission,         -   tcapConversationWithoutPermission,         -   tcapResponse,         -   tcapUniDirectional     -   }TcapMsgTypes;         seqNum:

This field provides a basic sequencing mechanism for incoming and outgoing messages.

mlength:

This field indicates the overall length of the data buffer.

processId:

This field provides space to identify the identifier sending application.

offsetHash:

This field is used internally by the MsgBuff-derived classes to mark individual parameter units within the data array.

numPayloadPresent:

This field is a simple count of the encapsulated parameter data units within the data array.

ipAddr:

This identifies the IP address of the sending machine in a X.X.X.X format

mdata:

This is the data buffer used for holding 0 or more protocol-specific data parameters. Its basic format is shown below:

TAG LENGTH VALUE TAG LENGTH VALUE etc Each tag represents a protocol-specific, message-particular data parameter. The length of the parameter is defined by the length field, and the data structure itself is contained within the value field. Each tag-length-value (TLV) trio is placed as an entry one after the other within the mdata array. The beginning position of each trio is recorded in the offsetHash integer array. Up to forty total TLV trios can be defined for each buffer. Additionally, each derived child class may define multiple base TLV trios for the defined protocol. These trios would be present in all messages of that protocol type. The user protocol includes appropriate identifiers necessary for establishing user-user communication sessions. Examples might include SS7 linkset and CIC identifiers. The child class would then provide access methods that retrieve these always-present parameters from the buffer prior to accessing any non-mandatory parameters within the buffer.

The base MsgBuff class consists of base class constructors (virtual, copy, and assignment) and generic access methods for the private data. The main data component consists of a structure containing addressing, protocol, and message-specific parameters. Additionally, a variable length array is provided for transporting multiple protocol-specific data units. These units are used to form a TLV trio that is then inserted at the end of the data array within the buffer structure.

The following source code illustrates an ISUP message type and how easily a particular message type is enumerated in accordance with the invention.

typedef enum {

regApp,

deregApp,

isuplam,

isupAcm,

etc.

}IsupMsgTypes;

The following source code illustrates a TCAP message type.

typedef enum {

tcapRegApp,

tcapDeregApp,

tcapQueryWithPermission,

tcapQueryWithoutPersimission,

tcapConversationWithPermission,

tcapConversationWithoutPermission,

tcapResonse,

tcapUniDirectional

}TcapMsgTypes;

The following source code illustrates a media access control (MAC) message type.

typedef enum {

macRegApp,

macDeregApp,

macQtst,

macCcot,

macLpbk,

macStop,

macRsrv,

macUsrv,

macErrm,

macApng,

macVxml,

macXfer,

macXfrs,

}MacMsgTypes;

The following source code illustrates various payload types that would be carried as a TLV. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that they represent ISUP, TCAP and MAC tag values, in that order. The illustrated cic and linkset enumerations are examples of header information.

typedef enum {

// The following would have their own access methods defined

cic,

linkset,

// The rest would be accessed using the generic payload methods

accessDelivery,

backwardCallingIndicators,

etc.

}IsupTagValues;

typedef enum {

// These would be accessed using the generic payload methods

tInfoEntity,

dialogEntity,

componentEntity

}TcapTagValues;

typedef enum {

// The following would have their own access methods defined

asmid,

startCircuit,

endCircuit,

msgStatus,

serviceState,

iiDigit,

uui,

// The rest would be accessed using the generic payload methods

errorMarg,

ani,

dnis,

dest,

macEntity1,

macEntity2,

etc.

}MacTagValues;

The following source code illustrates generic size definitions for message header and maximum message buffer size, in that order.

#define MSGHDRSIZE (sizeof(msgBuffer)−MAX_DATA)

#define MAX_MSGBUFF_SIZE (MSGHDRSIZE+MAX_DATA)

The following source code illustrates the base message buffer class and how straightforwardly API 10 permits certain parameters to be initialized or established, in the form of questions that might be asked of, or demands that might be placed on, the interface. In other words, the following source code illustrates in detail one implementation of the method blocks shown in FIG. 2. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that alternative implementations and equivalent methods are contemplated as being within the spirit and scope of the invention.

classMsgBuff

{

public:

MsgBuff(msgBuffer*);

virtual˜MsgBuff( );

The following source code illustrates how API 10 facilitates various functions including, for example, a determination of how many TLVs are in a message, which protocol is represented by a message and what the message control is.

// How many TLVs are there?

inline getNumPayload( ) const

-   -   {return(buff.numPayloadPresent);}

// Get the raw msgBuffer structure.

inline msgBuffer*getBuffer( )

-   -   {return(&buff);}

// What kind of protocol does this buffer represent?

inline void setProtocol(int type)

-   -   {buff.protocolType=type;}

inline int getProtocol( )

-   -   {return( )buff.protocolType);)

//What kind of ISUP, TCAP, MAC, etc message in this?

//Could be isuplam, tcapUniDirectional, macCcot, etc.

inline int getMsgType( ) const

-   -   {return(buff.mtype);}

inline int getProcessId( ) const

-   -   {return(buff.processId);}

inline void setProcessId(int id)

-   -   {buff.processID=id;}

inline void setIpAddr(char*addr)

-   -   {strncpy(buff.ipAddr, addr, MAX_IP_ADDR_LENGTH);}

inlinechar*getIpAddr( ) const

-   -   {return(buff.ipAddr);}

inline void setSeqNum(int i)

-   -   {buff.seqNum=i;}

inline int getSeqNum( ) const

-   -   {return(buff.seqNum);}

// Pure virtual parent functions

virtual void addPayload(int type, void*payload, int size)=0;

virtual int getPayload(int index, void** returned PayloadPointer)=0;

virtual int getPayloadType(int index)=0;

private:

msgBuffer buff;

int tlvOffset;

};

The following source code illustrates a typical Child ISUP message buffer class.

class IsupMsgBuff : public MsgBuff { public: IsupMsgBuff(unsigned int type, unsigned int ls, int circuitId1, circuitId2 = 0); // Here, ‘type’ might be isupIam, isupRel, etc. IsupMsgBuff(msgBuffer *); inline unsigned int getLinkSet( ) const { int val; memcpy((void *)val, (void *)(buff.mdata + LS_OFFSET, SIZE_OF_INT); return(val); }; inline void setResponse(bool resp) { (void *)&resp, SIZE_OF_BOOL); buff.mlength += SIZE_OF_BOOL; }; // Same kind of thing for getResponse // ISUP parameter specific methods int getParmType(int) const; int getParam(int, auto_ptr<Param> &) const; void addParam(auto_ptr<Param> &); void addParam(int, ParameterTransportStrtict **); void setMsgSpecifics(unsigned int type, unsigned int linkset, int circuitId1, int circuitId2 = 0); // Parent virtual functions defined for child // In ISUP implementation may instead of the following use the existing //addParam, getParmType, and getParam methods void addPayload(int type, void *payload, int size); int getPayload(int index, void **payload); int getPayloadType(int index);

The following source code illustrates a typical Child TCAP message buffer class.

class TcapMsgBuff : public MsgBuff { public: TcapMsgBuff(msgBuffer *); TcapMsgBuff(int packageType); // TCAP parameter specific methods inline unsigned int getPackageType( ) const { int val; memcpy((void *)val, (void *)(buff.mdata + PKGTYPE_OFFSET, SIZE_OF_INT); return(val); }; // The tInfo, dialog, and component pieces would be added to the buffer // using the payload access methods below // Parent virtual functions defined for child void addPayload(int type, void *payload, int size); int getPayload(int index, void **payload); int getPayloadType(int index); private: }

The following source code illustrates a typical Child MAC message buffer class.

class MacMsgBuff : public MsgBuff { public: MacMsgBuff(msgBuffer *); MacMsgBuff(unsigned int opCode, int asmId, short status, short serviceState, short iidigit, short uui, short startCircuit, short endCircuit = 0); // Here ‘opCode’ would be macQtst, macCcot, etc. // MAC parameter specific methods inline short getAsmId( ) const { short val; memcpy((void *)val, (void *)(buff.mdata + ASMIID_OFFSET, SIZE_OF_SHORT); return(val); }; // Other parameter access methods would follow, similar to getAsmId // Could also add set methods for each if needed // The ani, dnis, and dest items would be added as TLVs using // the addPayload method // The error message char array that is part of the // MacMsg structure would be another TLV // Parent virtual functions defined for child. // in the MAC case, these can be stubbed. void addPayload(int type, void *payload, int size); int getPayload(int index, void **payload); int getPayloadType(int index); private: }

The following source code illustrates the creation of message buffers.

MsgBuff EXAMPLES Outgoing TCAP Message

TcapMsgBuff*tcapMb=new TcapMsgBuff(tcapQueryWithPermission);

tcapMb→addPayload(tInfoEntity, &InforStruct, sizeof(TInforStruct));

tcapMb→addPayload(componentEntity, &firstComponentStruct,

-   -   sizeof(ComponentStruct);

tcapMb→addPayload(componentEntity, &secondComponentStruct,

-   -   sizeof(ComponentStruct);

tcapMb→addPayload(dialogEntity, &dialogStruct, sizeof(DialogStruct));

msgBuffer*buff=tcapMb→getBuffer( );

retCode=socket→send((void*)&buff, MSGHDRSIZE+buff→mlength);

Outgoing ISUP Message

IsupMsgBuff*isupMb=newIsupMsgBuff(isupIam, Is, cic);

auto_ptr<Param>parm(creator→CreateParam(forwardCallingIndicators));

isupMb→addParam(parm);

msgBuffer*buff=isumMb→getBuffer( );

retCode=socket→send((void*)&buff, MSGHDRSIZE+buff→mlength);

Outgoing MAC Message

MacMsgBuff*macMb=new MacMsgBuff(macQtst, asmId, status, serviceState,

-   -   iidigit, uui, startCircuit);

macMb→addPayload(ani, &aniStruct, sizeof(AniStruct));

macMb→addPayload(dnis, &dnisStruct, sizeof(DnisStruct));

msgBuffer*buff=macMb→getBuffer( );

retCode=socket→send((void*)&buff, MSGHDRSIZE+buff→mlength);

Incoming Generic Message

msgBuffer incomingBuffer; retCode = socket−>read((void*)&incomingBuffer, MAX_MSGBUFF_SIZE); MsgBuff*b = new MsgBuff(&incomingBuffer); switch(b−>getProtocol( )) { case TcapSrv: { msgType = b−>getMsgType( ); //Would be something like //tcapUniDirectional entityType = b−>getPayload(0, &tInfoStruct);// Assumes tinfo is //the first payload //item for(int idx = 1; idx<MAX_COMPONENTS_ALLOWED; idx++) { type = b−>getPayloadType(idx); // Something like // dialogEntity or // componentEntity switch(type) { case componentEntity: retCode = b−>getPayload(idx, componentStruct); break; case dialogEntity: retCode = b−>getPayload(idx, dialogStruct); break; } } break; } case IsupSrv: { msgType = b−>getMsgType( ); // Would be something like isupIam ls = b−>getLinkSet( ); cic1 = b−>getCic( ); cic2 = b−>getCicRangeEnd( ); for(int idx = int(0), type = b−>getParmType(idx); type !=−1; type = b−>getParmType(++idx)) { auto_ptr<Param>prm(creator−>CreateParam(type)); retCode = b−>getParam(idx, prm); } break; } case MediaSrv: { msgType = b−>getMsgType( ); // Would be something like macQtst asmId = b−>getAsmId( ); for(int idx = 0 idx < MAX_HASH_VALUES; idx++) { switch(b−>getPayloadType(idx)) { case errorMsg: retCode = b−>getPayload(idx, errorStruct); break; case ani: retCode = b−>getPayload(idx, aniStruct); break; etc. . . } } break; } }

The following source code illustrates the enumeration of the various illustrative MsgBuff protocol types including ISUP, TCAP, TUP, MEDIA and FOO, in that order.

typedef enum

{

IsupSvc,

TcapSvc,

TupSvc,

MediaSvci,

Foo

} MsgBuffProtocolTypes;

Child Class Derivation

When a new protocol is to be created, the MsgBuff object is used to derive the protocol-specific child class. For instance, the base MsgBuff class may be used to create a ISDN User Part (ISUP) child IsupMsgBuff class that is used to transport SS7 ISUP messages over UDP sockets. Each child class receives base class functionality that supports protocol identification, message type specification, and addressing information. These are not to be overridden by the child class. In addition, the base class specifies several virtual methods that must be overridden by the protocol-specific child class. These methods are primarily data-related and are customized to support the new protocol.

An example of a generic ‘FOO’ protocol implementation is presented below:

typedef enum {

firstParameter,

sceondParameter,

thirdParameter,

} FooTagValues;

typedef enum {

fooMessage1,

fooMessage2,

fooMessage 3,

}FooMsgTypes;

class FooMsgBuff:public MsgBuff

{

public:

FooMsgBuff(msgBuffer*);

FooMsgBuff(int packageType);

// Example FOO parameter specific method

inline unsigned int getPackageType( ) const

{

-   -   int val;     -   memcpy((void*)val, (void*)(buff.mdata+PKGTYPE_OFFSET),         SIZE_OF_INT);     -   return(val);

};

//Parent virtual functions define for child FOO

void addPayload(int type, void*payload, int size);

int getPayload(int index, void**payload);

int getPayloadType(int index);

private:

};

MsgBuff EXAMPLES

These examples show how various protocol messages can be created using the MsgBuff-derived protocol classes for transport over a generic UNIX socket.

Outgoing FOO Message

// Create a new FOO-specific MsgBuff object of message type fooMessage1

FooMsgBuff*fooMb=new FooMsgBuff(fooMessage1);

// Add various FOO-specific structures to the base MsgBuff data buffer

foo Mb→addPayload(firstParameter, &firstParmStruct, sizeof(FirstParmStruct));

fooMb→addPayload(secondParameter, &secondComponentStruct,

-   -   sizeof(SecondComponentStruct));

fooMb→addPayload(thirdParameter, &thirdComponentStruct ,

-   -   sizeof(ThirdComponentStruct));

// Extract the buffer transport structure and send over the outgoing UNIX socket

msgBuffer*buff=fooMb→getBuffer( );

retCode=socket→send((void*)&buff, MSGHDRSIZE+buff→mlength);

Incoming FOO Message

This code example shows how an application can receive and decode an incoming generic MsgBuffer data array received over a UNIX socket:

msgBuffer incomingBuffer; // Receive the data from the inbound socket retCode = socket−>read((void *)&incomingBuffer, MAX_MSGBUFF_SIZE); // Create a generic MsgBuff object with the received data MsgBuff *b = new MsgBuff(&incomingBuffer); // Determine the protocol of the received message switch(b−>getProtocol( )) { case Foo: { // Get the message type of the inbound data // Will be something like fooMessage1 or fooMessage2 msgType = b−>getMsgType( ); for(int idx = 1; idx <b−>getNumPayload ( ); idx++) { type = b−>getPayloadType(idx);  // Something like // firstParameter or // secondParameter switch(type) { case firstParameter: // Read the data into the indicated structure retCode = b−>getPayload(idx, &firstParmStruct); break; case secondParameter: retCode = b−>getPayload(idx, &secondParmStruct); break; case thirdParameter: retCode = b−>getPayload(idx, &thirdParmStruct); break; } } break; } case. . . // Other cases defined for any potential incoming protocol }

Table I immediately below illustrates the ISUP message types that may be enumerated in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

TABLE I ISUP Message IsupMsgTypes Enumeration Address Complete Message isupAcm Answer Message isupAnm Blocking Acknowledgement isupBla Blocking Message isupBlo Call Modification Completed isupCmc Call Modification Rejected isupCmrj Call Modification Request isupCmr Call Progress Message isupCpg Charge Information Message isupCrg Circuit Query Message isupCqm Circuit Query Response isupCqr Circuit Reservation isupCra Acknowledgement Circuit Reservation Message isupCrm Circuit Validation Response isupCvr Circuit Validation Test isupCvt Confusion Message isupCfn Connect Message isupCon Continuity Check Request isupCcr Continuity Message isupCot Facility Accepted Message isupFaa Facility Information Message isupFai Facility Message isupFac Facility Rejected Message isupFrj Facility Request Message isupFar Forward Transfer Message isupFot Information Message isupInf Information Request Message isupInr Initial Address Message isupIam Loopback Acknowledgement isupLpa Pass Along Message isupPam Release Complete Message isupRlc Release Message isupRel Reset Circuit Message isupRsc Resume Message isupRes Subsequent Address Message isupSam Suspend Message isupSus Unblocking Acknowledgement isupUba Unblocking Message isupUbl Unequipped Circuit isupUcic Identification Code Message User To User Information isupUsr Table II immediately below illustrates various parameter types and tags that may be enumerated for ISUP messages in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

TABLE II Valid For Parameter Type IsupParmTag Enumeration Message Type Access Delivery accessDelivery ACM Access Transport accessTransport IAM, INF, ACM, ANM, REL, CPG, USR Automatic Congestion autoCongestionLv1 REL Level Backward Call Indicators backwardCallingIndicators ACM, ANM, CPG Business Group businessGroup IAM, INF, ACM, ANM, CPG Call Diversion Information callDiversionInfo ACM Call Modification Indicator callModificationIndicators CMR, CMC, CMRJ Call Reference callReference IAM, INR, INF, ACM, CON, FOT, ANM, REL, SUS, RES, CMR, CMC, CMRJ, FAR, FAA, FRJ, DRS, CPG, USR Called Party Number calledPartyNumber IAM, INE Calling Party Number callingPartyNumber IAM Calling Party's Category callingPartysCategory IAM, INF Carrier Identification carrierIdentification IAM Carrier Selection carrierSelectionInfo IAM Information Cause Indicator causeIndicator ACM, REL, FRJ, CPG, CFN Charge Number chargeNumber IAM, INF, REL Circuit Group circuitGroupCharacteristics- CVR Characteristics Indicator Ind Circuit Assignment Map circuitAssignmentMap IAM, CQM Circuit Identification Name circuitIdentificationName CVR Circuit State Indicator circuitStateIndicators CQM, CQR Circuit Validation Response circuitValidationResponse CVR Indicator Common Language clli CVR Location Id Connected Number connectedNumber CON Connection Request connectionRequest IAM, INR, INF, ACM, CON, ANM Continuity Indicators continuityIndicators COT CUG Interlock Code cugInterlockCode IAM Echo Control Information echoControl ACM Egress Service egressService IAM Event Information eventInformation CPG Facility Indicator facilitylndicators FAR, FAA, FRJ Forward Call Indicators forwardCallingIndicators IAM Generic Address genericAddress IAM, REL Generic Name genericName IAM Generic Notification genericNotifInd IAM, ACM Indicator Generic Number genericNumber IAM Generic Reference genericReference IAM Hop Counter hopCounter IAM Information Indicators informationIndicators INF, ACM, ANM, CPG Information Request informationRequest- IAM, INR Indicators Indicators Jurisdiction Information jurisdictionInfo IAM Location Number locationNumber IAM MLPP Precedence mlppPrecedence IAM Nature Of Connection natureOfConnection- IAM, CRM Indicators Indicators Network Specific Facility networkSpecFacil IAM, INR, ACM Network Transport networkTransport IAM, INR, ACM, ANM, CPG Notification Indicators notificationIndicators ACM, CPG

The following source code illustrates a driver that may be used to create, send and read a message over a socket.

#include <iostream> #include “TupMsgBuff.h” #include “TupParam.h” #include “Socket.h” using namespace std; int main(int argc, char **argv) { // First, create a new MsgBuff of some msg type and put a couple of // parameters in it int linkset = 1; int cic = 1; TupMsgBuff *t = new TupMsgBuff(tupIam, linkset, cic); // These are all the available TUP parameters IAMMessageInd imi; AddrSigs as; LineID li; ClosedUserGroup cug; AnswerType at; Respind ri; MsgInd mi; TupAutoCongLvl acl TrunkID ti; ChargeInfo ci; Cause C; PointCode pc; Range r; t−>addParam(tupIamMsgInd, (void *)&imi, SIZE_OF_IAM_MSG_IND); t−>addParam(tupClosedUserGroup, (void *)&cug, SIZE_OF_CLOSED_USER_GROUP); t−>addParam(tupLineId, (void *)&li, SIZE_OF_LINE_ID); msgBuffer *mb; mb = t−>getBuffer( ); socket−>sendMsg((char *)mb, mb−>mlength + MSGHDRSIZE, someIpAddr, somePort); // Now clean up the object delete t; // Now assume a new message has come in over a socket msgBuffer receiveMb; ret = socket −>receiveMsg(&address, (char *) &receiveMb, MAX MSGBuff SIZE); IF (RECEIVEmB.PROTOCOLtYPE == tUPsVC) { // Create a new TupMsgBuff object using the received data t = new TupMsgBuff(&receivedMb); cic = t−>getCic( ); int cicEnd = t−>getCicRangeEnd( ); linkset = t−>getLinkSet( ); // Now find out what type of message it is int msgType = t−>getMsgType( ); switch(msgType) { case tupIam: printf(“got IAM\n”); break; case tupGrs: printf(“got GRS\n”); break; default: printf(“Unknown msg type\n”); break; } // And finally, get the parameter structures out of the received buffer int parmType; ParameterTransportStruct *p; for(int index = 0, type = t−>getParmType(0); type !=−1; type = t−>getParmType(++index)) { parmType = t−>getParmStruct(index, &p); switch(parmType) { case tupIamMsgInd: printf(“Got IAM Msg Ind structure\n”); break; case tupClosedUserGroup: printf(“Got ClosedUserGroup structure\n”); break; case tupLineId: printf(“Got Line ID\n”); break; default: printf(“Error\n”); break; } } } delete t; exit(0); }

FIG. 3 is a system block diagram illustrating how API 10 and the above-described method and apparatus may be implemented. FIG. 3 shows a workstation or personal computer (PC) 34 equipped with a monitor 36, a keyboard 38, a hard drive 40, a mouse or other cursor control device 42 and a modem 44 connected to the Internet. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that PC 34 suitably programmed as described above provides a user with above-described applications program interface 10 and also implements the invented methods by which a data-related protocol is tunneled through a generic IP transport.

Finally, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the invented method and apparatus described and illustrated herein may be implemented in software, firmware or hardware, or any suitable combination thereof. Preferably, the method and apparatus are implemented in software, for purposes of low cost and flexibility. Thus, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the method and apparatus of the invention may be implemented by a computer or microprocessor process in which instructions are executed, the instructions being stored for execution on a computer-readable medium and being executed by any suitable instruction processor. Alternative embodiments are contemplated, however, and are within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having illustrated and described the principles of our invention in a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. We claim all modifications coming within the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims. 

1. A method of tunneling a transaction based protocol through a generic Internet protocol (IP) transport, the method comprising: providing a generic messaging structure that includes a transport protocol, a message buffer, a source-address field and one or more data fields for transparent routing of a user protocol over the IP transport during a host-to-host communication or telecommunication session; providing an application program interface to the generic messaging structure, the application program interface including a mechanism for a user to choose a desired transport and associated protocol for transparently routing the user protocol over the desired transport in accordance with the chosen transport protocol within the one or more data fields; creating a base class library including plural defined source and header files, and providing a mechanism for deriving a transaction-based protocol-specific class that is compatible with the base class library, the transaction-based protocol-specific class further being derived based in part on the chosen transport protocol.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transaction-based protocol-specific class is derived using an object-oriented inheritance based mechanism.
 3. The method of claim 1 including compiling the transaction-based protocol-specific class when a transaction and the transport protocol are determined.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the transport protocol is operated on by a signaling function and wherein the user protocol may be routed over the transport without a switching function.
 5. The method of claim 1 including populating a message structure of the transaction-based protocol-specific class with tag-length-value (TLV) trios when the transaction -based protocol-specific class is derived.
 6. A method of tunneling any related data-, control-, or routing-related protocol through a generic Internet protocol (IP) transport, the method comprising: creating a base class library including plural defined source and header files, the base class library further including base class constructors of virtual, copy, and assignment, and generic access methods; choosing a transport protocol for transparently routing a user protocol over the IP transport; and providing a mechanism for deriving a transaction-based protocol-specific class that is compatible with the base class library, the transaction-based protocol-specific class further being derived based in part on the chosen transport protocol, wherein the transaction-based protocol-specific class is derived in using an object-oriented inheritance based mechanism.
 7. The method of claim 6 which further comprises: providing a generic messaging structure that includes the transport protocol, a message buffer, a source-address field and one or more data fields for transparent routing of the user protocol over the IP transport during a host-to-host communication or telecommunication session.
 8. The method of claim 6 which further comprises: providing an application program interface to a generic messaging structure, the interface including a mechanism for a user to choose a desired transport and associated protocol for transparently routing the user protocol over the transport in accordance with the chosen transport protocol within the generic messaging structure.
 9. A method of tunneling any related data-, control-, or routing-related protocol through a generic Internet protocol (IP) transport, the method comprising: creating a base class library including plural defined source and header files, the base class library further including base class constructors of virtual, copy, and assignment, and generic access methods; providing a mechanism for deriving a transaction-based protocol-specific class that is compatible with the base class library, the transaction-based protocol-specific class further being derived based in part on the chosen transport protocol; providing an application program interface to a generic messaging structure, the interface including a mechanism for a user to choose the transport protocol; and providing a generic messaging structure that includes the transport protocol, a message buffer, a source-address field and one or more data fields for transparent routing of a user protocol over the IP transport during a host-to-host communication or telecommunication session.
 10. A computer-readable medium including an application programming interface stored on the computer-readable medium for transparently routing data between hosts in an Internet protocol (IP) transport, comprising: a message buffer data structure defining a protocol-generic parent class, message, source-address and data fields for a chosen transport protocol; a message creation mechanism for creating a message and adding it to the message buffer data structure; and a protocol creation mechanism for deriving a protocol-specific child class based on the chosen transport protocol that renders new protocol-specific sub-fields of the protocol field of the message buffer data structure, where the application programming interface includes a mechanism for a user to choose a desired transport and associated protocol for transparently routing a user protocol over the transport in accordance with the chosen transport protocol within the generic messaging structure.
 11. The computer-readable medium of claim 10 in which the protocol-specific child class is derived using an object-oriented inheritance based mechanism.
 12. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the message creation and protocol creation mechanisms include computer-readable and computer-executable software instructions.
 13. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, including software source code and headers in C/C++ programming language form.
 14. A computer-readable medium containing a program for tunneling a transaction based protocol through a generic Internet protocol (IP) transport, wherein when the program is executed by at least one device it is operable to: provide a generic messaging structure that includes a transport protocol, a message buffer, a source-address field and one or more data fields for transparent routing of a user protocol over the IP transport during a host-to-host communication; provide an application program interface to the generic messaging structure, the application program interface including a mechanism for a user to choose a desired transport and associated protocol for transparently routing the user protocol over the desired transport in accordance with the chosen transport protocol within the one or more data fields; create a base class library including plural defined source and header files, and provide a mechanism for deriving a transaction-based protocol-specific class that is compatible with the base class library, the transaction-based protocol-specific class further being derived based in part on the chosen transport protocol.
 15. A computer-readable medium containing a program for tunneling a data-related protocol through a generic Internet protocol (IP) transport, wherein when the program is executed by at least one device it is operable to: create a base class library including plural defined source and header files, the base class library further including base class constructors of virtual, copy, and assignment, and generic access methods; choose a transport protocol for transparently routing a user protocol over the IP transport; and provide a mechanism for deriving a transaction-based protocol-specific class that is compatible with the base class library, the transaction-based protocol-specific class further being derived based in part on a chosen transport protocol, wherein the transaction-based protocol-specific class is derived using an object-oriented inheritance based mechanism.
 16. The computer-readable medium in accordance with claim 15, wherein the program is further operable to: provide an application program interface to a generic messaging structure, the interference including a mechanism for a user to choose a desired transport and associated protocol for transparently routing a user protocol over the transport in accordance with the chosen transport protocol within the generic messaging structure.
 17. The computer-readable medium in accordance with claim 15, wherein the program is further operable to: provide a generic messaging structure that includes the transport protocol, a message buffer, a source-address field and one or more data fields for transporting routing of a user protocol over the IP transport during a host-to-host communication or telecommunication session. 